Law Day, U.S.A., 2004
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation

The theme of this year's Law Day, "To Win Equality by Law: Brown
v. Board at 50," celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Supreme
Court's landmark decision in Brown v. Board of Education.

The Declaration of Independence declared the equality of each
person before God and the responsibility of Government to secure the
rights of all. However, it was not until ratification of the 14th
Amendment in 1868 that the equality of all citizens under law was
guaranteed by the Constitution. Still, for decades afterwards,
millions of African-American citizens were subjected to shameful
discrimination, and in many public school systems, students were
segregated by race. Finally, in the 1954 Brown decision, the Supreme
Court ruled that segregating students in our public schools violated
our Constitution.

Our Nation is grateful for the brave men and women and boys and
girls who challenged segregation and helped make equal justice under
law a reality for all Americans. We remember Thurgood Marshall, the
heroic lawyer who represented Linda Brown and fought for her rights and
the rights of all African Americans. We remember the nine justices of
the Supreme Court of the United States who helped America begin to make
equal justice under law a reality for African Americans.

Nearly 50 years after Brown, we appreciate the progress America has
made, but we also recognize that there is still work to be done to
ensure that our country lives up to the founding principle that all of
God's children are created equal. As we observe this Law Day and
commemorate the anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, I encourage
all Americans to celebrate the great distance we have traveled as a
Nation and to continue our work to promote equality and opportunity for
all.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States
of America, in accordance with Public Law 87-20, as amended, do hereby
proclaim May 1, 2004, as Law Day, U.S.A. I call upon all the people of
the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and
activities. I also call upon Government officials to display the flag
of the United States in support of this national observance.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day
of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand four, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
twenty-eighth.